15 April, 2009

Happy Birthday Baby!

*(Now go get a cup of coffe or something - this is a bit long - but I'm feeling pretty sure it's going to be worth reading.)

A little under 8 years ago I moved out from my parents home and was sans dog for the first time in my life. I didn't really intend on getting a dog - at least not for a while - but quite soon the desire to have a dog of my own appeared. I did a lot of research. And I mean a LOT of research. I wasn't one of those (*cough* *stupid* *cough*) people who start looking at pictures and what dog looks cute. I started reading the breed standards of all the dogs in the groups I'd concider (no working-, herding-, or hunting dog was an option as I don't hunt or have sheep and so on) and researched online.

I eventually became quite certain I'd like a pug. I liked the enthusiasm I saw among their owners and overall they seemed to suit me. I researched breeders - asking questions and figuring out who might be an option. (Haha.. I thought I was so very clever..) One day in April 2002 I called Anette to hear if any puppies was born yet - and they were! Three girls and two boys if memory serves me. I was absolutely certain I wanted a boy. It didn't take much time to decide I'd have one. I had first pick of the boys and as long weeks passed Anette had a clear idea which one of them might be the better one conformation wise allthough they were fairly similar.


2am one june morning my friend Lene and I got in the car and headed across the mountains. When we finally found the place after thinking we were clever (again) and following the signs rather than her directions. Following directions would of course have been wiser. There were lots of pugs and kids and commotion - but I really only had eyes for the puppies in the living room. She handed me the one male with the least white as she thought was the better of them (white is not ideal, but a little white in the chest doesn't matter). Other than that the only real difference was that the other one had larger eyes, she said. I looked at the puppy in my lap and thought "These eyes are HUGE. I don't think I want a puppy with larger eyes than these!!!". So I said I wanted him.

Back into the car we went and up-up-up into the mountains. Where I called Anette worried that he was making little snot bubbles from his nose. She said he was probably just a bit stressed and that I shouldn't worry. He was rather active. My friend suggested I should name him Bajas. It's a name that indicate high energy, clownyness and someone full of tricks. I arrived home that evening with my new puppy. So tired from the excitement and the lack of sleep. I sat down on the kitchen floor (my legs could hold me no longer) and called my parents. When my dad asked if I'd found a name for him I answered "Yes. It's perfect. But I'm too tired to remember what it is."


He was such a handful as a puppy. They'd all forgotten to mention that pug puppies are the most difficult puppies in the world (or close to it). I only slept when he slept. And that wasn't much. When he slept I didn't dare to move so much as a finger. He'd totally forgotten to read the puppy manual. At least the pages about how puppies are always sleeping. He would bite with his razor sharp puppy teeth on that soft, sensitive skin on the top of your foot. He'd literally dangle from my skirts - where he'd jump up and get a good grip. All my pants and skirts from that summer had puppy teeth punctures. I'd taken a couple of weeks off work of course to ease his transition to a new home. I won't pretend I wasn't thrilled to finally get some time away from the little terror.

In august we started puppy class and he did so well. Class was the only place he behaved. They all admired my well behaved puppy. If they only knew.. LOL! But at least we continued taking more classes - anything to keep him occupied. And of course it was lots of fun. Especially all those men with their "proper" dogs laughing at the girl with the toy dog. Asking why I'd bother even taking classes with a dog that couldn't learn much. Looking rather ashamed when he beat the c**p out of their precious working dogs at the competition at the end of the course. Muahaha...


He finally calmed down a bit - of course it all came gradually but at around 2 he started to resemble what pugs "are supposed to be like" (according to the myth - experience seems to contradict that myth but that's another topic all together). He'd still be crazy happy out meeting people but he'd be quiet and well behaved at home. I'm so very lucky to have him. I know there will never be another one like him. Today my little annoying puppy turn 7!


I hope you'll all join me in wishing the bestest little Bajas a very, very happy birthday! (And hopefully his tummy will be better. He's been off food for a day and I got hime some medicine to make it better, too. It would be a shame not getting food on your birthday!)

Ane

---
I just saw that Gilbert the Parrotlet turns 8 today! So I was borned on his 1st hatchday. That is cool! Have a happy day, Gilbert! You can visit him here: http://pugnotes.blogspot.com/

And then Salinger dropped by and said it was HIS barkday, too! Happy birthday Salinger! You're borned on a very cool date. You can visit him here: http://salingerthepug.blogspot.com/

Bajas

17 comments:

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Happy Birfday!

Happy Barkday!

I just hope it isn't a unhappy barfday!

Tank woo fur sharing the tale of how woo got your Bajas tail!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Lorenza said...

Happy Birthday Bajas!
I hope you had a great day celebrating! (If your tummy let you!)
You have given your mom 7 wonderful years!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Sandra y Coco Pug said...

happy birthday Bajas! you look much younger than that! i hope your tummy feels better and that you get some cake, too!
hugs
Coco

Asta said...

Little BAJAS,
HAPPY HAPPY BIWFDAY to you!!!
I can't believe you'we aweady seven. You'we still a cutie pie, just like when you wewe bwand new.
I hope you feel bettew and get to celebwate and get lots of tweats and snuggles and kisses
love and smoochies
ASTA

Puglette said...

happy birthday dear bajas!! you are a sweet puggy fellow, even if you were once a pesky puppy. i hope all of your birthday wishes come true!
hugs,
puglette
:o)

Simba and Jazzi said...

Living with a pug puppy is a real eye opener. Simba's puppy hood seems like a breeze compared to Jazzi, who is single mindedly destroying the house.

A very happy birthday to you!!!!

Simba and Jazzi xxx

Salinger The Pug said...

We saw your comment on Melissa and Emmitt's blog and wanted to come say HI and wish you a HAPPY BARKDAY!!!!

Today is MY barkday too!!!! I feel honored to share my day with a fellow Pug as CUTE as you are!!!

Have a great birthday!

Love,
Salinger The Pug

Archie and Melissa said...

ohhhh!
happy birthday bajas! what a beautiful story your mom told about you!

gilbert, emmitt and i send you lots of kisses!

xoxoxo

Pugsley and Lola said...

Hi Bajas!!

Happy Birthday!!!
I am Salinger's friend Pugsley:) I wanted to stop by your blog and say HI!!

Have a PUGTASTIC Birthday!!!
XOXOXOXO
Pugsley

P.S.- Stop by my blog sometime and say HI. I love having new doggie friends!!!

Ruby Bleu said...

Happy Barkday Bajas...my Mom laughed at the whole story because I was just like that as a pup too!!! I hope you have a wonderful day and I'm so glad that we are freinds!

Lots of Licks, Ruby

P(ee)S: I LOVE the new blog look!!!!

Unknown said...

Happy birthday handsome puggy boy! This here is Anniebelly, the puggy gal of your dreams, blowing you birthday kisses! Your mommy got out the family album and showed me ALL your baby pictures, and I think you are even cuter now than before.
love always, your little Anniebelle
xxoxoooo

Molly the Airedale said...

Happy birthday, Bajas! What a wonderful story you have!
We hope you have the best birthday ever!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Daisy said...

Happy Birthday, Bajas! I loved reading the story about how you were chosen and how you got your name.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joe Stains said...

Happy Birthday!! What a great tribute post!! You were the cutest little puppy!!

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Happy Birthday to you! Your bloggie was no cooperating awhile ago, so I had to leave a note on another day. I hope you feel better. And thank you for sharring the woderful story of when you got your new mama.
You are adorable- so happy, happy birthday my friend
love
tweedles

Dexter said...

It was fun to read about how Bajas found you and that he used to be a little rascal just like the rest of us. Puppy toofers! Ouch!

I did the same thing. I was a little angle at puppy school and then a total doofus at home. But now I am all grown up, just like Bajas!

Slobbers,
Mango